UNITED STATES

Affidavit reveals new information from scene of Idaho student deaths

Jan 5, 2023, 11:27 AM | Updated: Jan 6, 2023, 8:50 am

...

(CNN) — One of the two roommates who survived the fatal November stabbings of four University of Idaho students told investigators she saw a masked man dressed in black in the house the morning of the attack, according to a probable cause affidavit released Friday in prosecutors’ case against suspect Bryan Kohberger.

The roommate, identified in the document as D.M., said she “heard crying” in the house the morning of the murders. She heard a male voice say, ‘it’s ok, I’m going to help you.'” D.M. said she then saw a “figure clad in black clothing and a mask that covered the person’s mouth and nose walking towards her,” the affidavit says.

“D.M. described the figure as 5’ 10″ or taller, male, not very muscular, but athletically built with bushy eyebrows,” the affidavit says. “The male walked past D.M. as she stood in a ‘frozen shock phase.'”

“The male walked towards the back sliding glass door. D.M. locked herself in her room after seeing the male,” the document says. Adding the roommate did not recognize the male.

The release of the affidavit — which also says a DNA profile obtained from the trash at the Pennsylvania home of Kohberger’s family matched DNA on a tan leather knife sheath found at the scene of the killings — comes as the 28-year-old suspect makes his first court appearance in Idaho, where faces four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary.

Kohberger was booked into the Latah County, Idaho, jail Wednesday night after being extradited from his home state of Pennsylvania, where he was arrested last Friday, almost seven weeks after Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Madison Mogen, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Ethan Chapin, 20, were found fatally stabbed in an off-campus home in the college town of Moscow, Idaho.

Like Idaho quadruple murder case, Utah police have used forensic genealogy

The affidavit addresses some questions authorities have so far left unanswered. Namely some of the steps used to identify Kohberger as a suspect: Per the document, officials zeroed in on the 28-year-old because his driver’s license information and photograph. They are consistent with the surviving roommate’s description of the figure clad in black.

An officer at nearby Washington State University located a 2015 white Hyundai Elantra. Washington State is where Kohberger was a PhD student in the criminal justice program. The Elantra, residing in an apartment complex, was registered to Kohberger.

At the time of his arrest last week, they found a white Elantra at Kohberger’s parents’ house in Pennsylvania. According to Monroe County Chief Public Defender Jason LaBar, who said Kohberger went home for the holidays.

Additionally, trash was obtained from the home of Kohberger’s family late last month was sent for DNA testing to the Idaho State Lab, the affidavit says. The lab “reported that a DNA profile obtained from the trash” matched a tan leather knife sheath found “laying on the bed” of one of the victims.

Also, phone records also indicate Kohberger’s phone was near the victims’ residence. The document says at least 12 times between June 2022 to the present day. “All of these occasions, except for one, occurred in the late evening and early morning hours of their respective days.”

A court order prohibits the prosecution and defense from commenting beyond referencing the public records of the case.

The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2023 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

United States

The steel frame of the Francis Scott Key Bridge sits on top of the container ship Dali after the br...

Nick Perry

Baltimore bridge collapse puts the highly specialized role of ship’s pilot under the spotlight

The highly specialized role — in which a pilot temporarily takes control of a ship from its regular captain — is coming under the spotlight this week.

4 hours ago

colorado river...

Adam Small

More than half of the Colorado River’s water is being used for farming, study finds

The Colorado River provides water to 40 million people in seven states, including Utah, as well as Mexico.

9 hours ago

Rep Phil Lyman shown, lyman dei comments came under scrutiny...

Emma Keddington

Rep. Phil Lyman defends post correlating DEI policies with Baltimore bridge collapse

Rep. Phil Lyman is defending a post made Tuesday, that said Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies had something to do with the Baltimore bridge collapse. 

18 hours ago

Outside of the Yale University Law School is pictured on September 27, 2018 in New Haven, Connectic...

Zenebou Sylla, CNN

Some New England universities, including Yale, break $90,000 barrier for total tuition cost in upcoming school year

(CNN) — Several New England universities and colleges, including Yale, have reached a pinnacle of at least $90,000 for undergraduate tuition and costs starting this fall. Yale University, Tufts University, Boston University (BU), and Wellesley College are among a few private institutions that will top this year’s costs for tuition, housing and other expenses, according to […]

1 day ago

The bodies of two men, ages 35 and 26, were recovered from the water, Col. Roland L. Butler Jr., se...

LEA SKENE and BRIAN WITTE Associated Press

Investigation of Baltimore bridge collapse picks up speed as divers recover 2 bodies from water

BALTIMORE (AP) — Investigators began collecting evidence Wednesday from the cargo ship that plowed into Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge and caused its collapse, while in the waters below divers searched through twisted metal for six construction workers who plunged into the harbor and were feared dead.   The bodies of two men, ages 35 and 26, […]

1 day ago

Former senator Joseph Lieberman...

Jake Tapper, CNN

Former Sen. Joe Lieberman dies at 82

Former Democratic vice presidential nominee and Sen. Joe Lieberman has died, according to a statement from his family.

1 day ago

Sponsored Articles

Mother and cute toddler child in a little fancy wooden cottage, reading a book, drinking tea and en...

Visit Bear Lake

How to find the best winter lodging in Bear Lake, Utah

Winter lodging in Bear Lake can be more limited than in the summer, but with some careful planning you can easily book your next winter trip.

Happy family in winter clothing at the ski resort, winter time, watching at mountains in front of t...

Visit Bear Lake

Ski more for less: Affordable ski resorts near Bear Lake, Utah

Plan your perfect ski getaway in Bear Lake this winter, with pristine slopes, affordable tickets, and breathtaking scenery.

front of the Butch Cassidy museum with a man in a cowboy hat standing in the doorway...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking Back: The History of Bear Lake

The history of Bear Lake is full of fascinating stories. At over 250,000 years old, the lake has seen generations of people visit its shores.

silhouette of a family looking over a lake with a bird in the top corner flying...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

8 Fun Activities To Do in Bear Lake Without Getting in the Water

Bear Lake offers plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy without having to get in the water. Catch 8 of our favorite activities.

Wellsville Mountains in the spring with a pond in the foreground...

Wasatch Property Management

Advantages of Renting Over Owning a Home

Renting allows you to enjoy luxury amenities and low maintenance without the long-term commitment and responsibilities of owning a home.

Clouds over a red rock vista in Hurricane, Utah...

Wasatch Property Management

Why Southern Utah is a Retirement Paradise

Retirement in southern Utah offers plenty of cultural and recreational opportunities. Find out all that this region has to offer.

Affidavit reveals new information from scene of Idaho student deaths